Earth moving device



Sept. 17; 1940. E. w. AUSTIN EARTH MOVING DEVICE s Sheets$heet 1 FiledFeb. 13, 1959 INVENT OR.

BY /MW ATTORNEYS. I

Sept. 1' 7, 1940.

E. w. AUSTIN EARTH MOVING DEVICE Filed Feb. '13, 1939 I a Sheets-Sheet 2YINVENTOR. filbzuorflz lflQzwfikzy,

BY an," 9 2 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 17, 1940.

E. w. AUSTIN EARTH uovliqe DEVICE I Filed Feb. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 317 flaw/071% ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 17, 1940 EARTH MOVING DEVICE Ellsworth W. Austin, CedarRapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Manufacturing 00., 1110.,Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 13,1939, Serial No. 256,164

18 Claims.

carrier type wherein a wheel mounted frame is adapted to be drawn behinda tractor and to perform digging, carrying and dumping operations.

A further object is to provide an earth mover of the scraper type inwhich the scraper is arranged to dump at the rear and in the carryingposition has a-relatively high ground clearance and therefore a highdumping position making it possible to dump over a bank immediatelybehind the wheels. I

Another object is to provide a simple arrangement of gate for the rearof the bowl which can be swung open for dumping operations and which isnormally retained in latched position by latches that are spring-urgedto the latched position, toggle link arrangements being provided forreleasing the latches and for subsequently tipping the bowl to dumpingposition. Another object is to provide a bowl which has a front apronadapted to open for digging operations and to close for carryingoperations, there being a novel construction of bowl to prevent bindingof the dirt against the apron and such construction consisting of apartial front wall arranged at the top of the bowl only and againstwhich the earth may fall instead of frictionally engaging the apron.

Still another object is to provide a scraper in which a main frame ispivoted to wheel arms, there being a hydraulic extension unit operableto spread the wheel arms relative to theframe and thereby efiectrelative movement of the bowl to its various positions for dumping,carrying and digging earth.

Still another object is to provide a simple and inexpensive gatereleasing and dumping mechanism consisting of toggle links'connectedwith the latches for the rear gate and stops provided on the bowl 'withwhich the latches engage for the. purpose of moving the bowl to dumpingposition after the latches are released, link connections being providedbetween the wheel arms of the earth moving device and the rear gate forthe purpose of limiting the opening of the gate toa spreading positionand for returning the gate to latched position as the bowl is lowered,from dumping to the carrying position.

Still another object is to provide a supporting leg pivoted to the frameof the device in such manner that as the frame is adjusted relative tothe wheel arms the front end ofthe frame carrying a coupler to beconnected with the tractor or the like is raised or lowered as desiredfor proper alignment of the couplerwith the draw bar of the tractor,thus facilitating connection of the earth moving device to the tractor.

' With these and other objects in view my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Although the invention is susceptible of avariety of embodiments, it is unnecessary to fully describe andillustrate more than one in order to give a full understanding of theinvention both from its structural and functional standpoints.Accordingly, I have illustrated a preferred and desirable embodiment ofthe invention in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aplan view of an earth moving device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof showing the machine in positionjust engaging the earth for digging operation;

Figure 3. is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figu e 1 showingparticularly the bowl 'together with its rear gate and front apron;

Figure '4 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine in diggingposition;

Figure 5 is a similar diagrammatic view showing the machine in positionfor carrying earth, and showing a supporting leg in supporting positlon;

Figure 6 is a similar diagrammatic view showing the machine in dumpingposition, and

Figure '7 is a'similar diagrammatic view showing the position of theparts as they are returning toward carrying and digging positions.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference character F toindicate generally a frame and WA to indicate wheel arms pivotedthereto; The pivotal connections are indicated at I 0, Journaled on stubshafts l2 extending from the wheel arms WA are the supporting wheelsWfor .the earth moving device.

The frame F is yoke-shaped with its two arms indicated at M, a crossmember indicated at I5 and a forwardly extending portion indicated atmember i9 of the wheel arms.

A supporting leg 21 is pivoted at 28 to the frame F. The pivot pin 28 issupported byears 29 securedto the forward extension it of the frame. Thesupporting leg 21 may be held in raised position by a bolt 30 or loweredto the position of Figure 5 when it is desirable to uncouple the earthmoving device from the tractor. From the construction of my earth movingdevice as thus far described it will be obvious that extension orcontraction of the hydraulic unit H will spread or 'move relativelytoward each.

other the wheel arms WA. and the frame F. The spreading movement isshown progressively in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Accordingly as illustrated inFigure 5 by dotted lines the coupler H can be raised if necessary toalign the coupler with the draw bar of the tractor. Therefore, thehydraulic unit H together with the supporting leg 21 form a convenientand readily operable means to enable one man to couple theearth movingdevice with the tractor and uncouple it therefrom.

. I provide a bowl B having pivot studs 3| for pivotal mounting oftherbowl relative to the rearwardly extending arms I4 of the frame F.The bowl B comprises side walls 32, a bottom wall 33 and a partial frontwall 34. A digging blade 35 is secured to the lower front edge of thebottom wall 33 and the bottom wall, it will be noted, slants upwardlyand rearwardly .therefrom. This is to provide maximum clearance in theearth carrying position of Figure 5 and to provide a relatively highposition for the lower rear edge of the bowl as it swings from the.position of Figure 5 to the dumping position of Figure 6, thus enablingthe operator to dumpearthover a bank behind the wheels W.

A front apron 36 is provided with side plates 31 pivoted at 38 to thebowl B. The wall 34 as well as the apron 36 are curved substantially ona radius from the pivot 38. The lower edge of the bowl 34 is reenforcedby an angle'bar 39 while the lower edge of the apron 36 is reenforced byan angle bar 40.

The lower edges of the'side plates 81 act as cam surfaces for coactionwith rollers 4| which are journaled on studs 42 of the wheel arms WA.The coaction between the plates 31 and the rollers 4| is for the purposeof automatically controlling the position of the apron 36, as willhereinafter appear.

A rear gate G is provided for the bowl B and comprises a rear wall 43and side walls 44. The walls 44 are pivoted at 45 adjacent the upperrear corners of the bowl B and overlap the sides 32 of the bowl to someextent, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3.

Latches 46 are pivoted on the studs 3| and have extensions. 41 withwhich springs 48 are connected. there is a latch 46 for each side of thebowl B together with its attendant extension 41 and 2,21 oze about thepivot 3|.

It is understood, of course, that A toggle link connection is providedbetween each latch 46 and the wheel arms WA. The toggle links areformedin three sections indicated at 5|, 52 and 53. The link '52 isprovided with stop pins 54 which serve to limit extension of the togglelink, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, but permit contraction orcollapse-thereof as shown in Figures 2 and 4, when the'pivot points 55and 56 for the toggle links are brought closer together than the totallength of the links.

There are also link connections 51 between the pivot pins 56 and pivotpins 58, which latter are mounted on the gate G. The links 51 serve toprevent excessive opening of the gate G and to return the .gate tolatched position at the proper time during the cycle of operation of thedevice. I

Practical operation In the operation of myearth moving device machine isadvanced. Stops49a on the bowl lengage stop plates |4a on the frame H tolimit the downward tipping of the bowl during the filling operation. Itwill be noted in Figure 2 (same position also shown in Figure 3) thatthe side plates 31- are in engagement with the rollersv 4|. andtherefore the apron 36 is elevated to permit entrance of the earth. Theapron is further elevated in the Figure 4 position.

After the bowl has been suitably filled the hydraulic unit H is extendedto the position of Figure 5 for raising the frame and thereby the bowlto a carrying position with the bowl well elevated above the ground. Asthe bowl is raised the side plates 31 of the apron 36 are also raised,thus permitting the apron to be closed'by gravity and assume fullyclosed position prior to the Figure 5 position being reached. The frontwall 34 of the bowl B partially holds the earth so that there is notexcessive friction of the earth on the apron toprevent its properclosing. The wall 34 therefore performs an important function in.

G is thereby released for dumping. Such a posif tion is shown in Figure7 and it will be noted that the latch extension 41 has just engaged thestop 49 on the bowl '3. Accordingly any further elevation of the bowlwill result in the links 5|, 62 and 53 eifecting a turning movement onthe bowl This will tip the bowl to dumping position as shown in Figure6, this position being the extreme limit of movement because of stops 49on-the bowl engaging the stop plates |4 of the frame F.

In the dumping position of Figure 6 it will be noted that the links 51retain the gate G against excessive rearward swinging movement and holdthe gate in position for spreading the material being dumped. As thebowl is again lowered, for instance to the position shown in Figure 7,the links 51 pull the gate closed and cause its hooks '50 to engage thelatches 46 and swing them against the bias of the springs 48 to latchedposition.

The dumping arrangement is such that I secure good groundclearan'ce forthe bowl and am able to dump the bowl from a rearward position whichpermits the earth to roll down over a bank at the rear of the wheels.-Although the bowl is carried in a relatively high position during thecarrying operation, the gate G moves downwardly to a relatively lowspreading position as shown in Figure 6, when the bowl is elevated toits maximum dumping position. The partial front wall 34 aids materiallyin improving the performance of the apron 36 by preventing excessivefriction of the earth thereagainst. By the use of thesupporting leg 21 Ihave provided avery convenient and readily operable means to aid theoperator in aligning the coupler with the draw bar of the tractor whencoupling and uncoupling the machine relative to the tractor.

Having described one specific embodiment of my invention together withthe operation thereof, I desire it to be understood that this form isselected merely for the purpose of facilitating disclosure of theinvention rather than for the purpose of limiting the number of formswhich it may :assume. It is to be further understood that variousmodifications, adaptations and alterations may be applied to thespecific form disclosed to meet the requirements of practice without inany manner departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventionexcept set forth in the claims appended hereto. I claim as my inventionand desire to secure, by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. In an earth moving device, a frame, wheel arms, pivoted thereto,wheels carried by said wheel arms, means for spreading said wheel armsrelative to said'frame to elevate the frame relative to said wheels, abowl pivotally mounted on said frame and comprising a bottom, a pair ofside walls and a front wall, said front wall being arranged adjacent thetop only of said side walls to provide space thereunder for earth toenter said bowl, a gate at the rear of said bowl and pivoted theretoadjacent-the upper rear corners thereof, pivoted latches for said gate,means biasing said latches to latched position for normally retainingsaid gate closed relative to said bowl, common means for releasing saidlatches and tipping said bowl comprising collapsible elements.

connected with said latches at points spaced from their pivotal axes andwith said wheel arms, said elements effecting pivoting and therebyunlatching of said latches against the action of said bias-v ing meansupon spreading of said wheel arms relative to said frame to apredetermined position, stops on said bowl for said latches to engagewhereuponfurther spreading action effects tipping of said bowl todumping position and conners thereof, 'movable latches for said gate;

means biasing said latches to latched position for normally retainingsaid gate closed relative to said bowl, common means for releasing saidlatches and tipping said bowl comprising collapsible elementsoperatively connected with said latches and wheels, said elementseffecting movement and thereby unlatching of said latches against theaction of said biasing means upon movement of said frame relative tosaid wheels to a predetermined position relative thereto and stopsonsaid bowl for'said latches to. engage whereupon further movement of.said frame relative to said wheels effects tipping of said bowl todumping position.

3. In an earth moving device, a frame, wheels carrying said frame andadjustable relative thereto, means for elevating said frame relative tosaid wheels, a bowl pivotally mounted on said frame, a gate pivoted tothe rear of said bowl, latches for said gate, means biasing said latchesto latched position for normally retaining said gate closed relative tosaid bowl, means" for releasing said latches and tipping said bowlcomprising elementsconnected with said latches and operatively with saidwheel to effect unlatching of said latches against the action of saidbiasing means 'upon initial elevation of said frame to a predeterminedposition, stops on said bowl for said latches to engage whereuponfurther elevation of a gate at the rear of said bowl and operable rela.-

tive thereto, movable latches for said gate, said latches being carriedby said bowl, means biasing "said latches to latched position fornormally retaiping said gate closed relative to said bowl and means formoving and thereby releasing said latches against the actionof saidbiasing means upon elevation of said frame and bowl to a prede terminedposition relative to said wheels, said last means comprising operativeconnections between said latchesand said wheels.

5. In an earth moving device, a frame, wheel arms pivoted thereto,wheels carried by said wheel arms at points spaced from the pivotal axesthereof, means for spreading said wheel arms relative'to said frame toelevate the frame relative to said wheels, a 'bowl pivotally mounted onsaid frame, an openable gate at the rear of said bowl, means fornormally retaining said gate closed relative to said bowl and commonmeans for releasing said last means and tipping said bowl comprisingconnecting elements between said wheel arms and said retaining means,said connecting elements, upon initial spreading of said wheel armsrelative to'said frame effecting I release of said retaining means, and,upon further spreading thereof, cooperating with said bowl, to

swing it about its pivotal mounting on said frame.

6. In an earth moving device, a frame, wheel arms pivoted thereto,wheels carried by said wheel arms at points spaced from the pivotal axesthereof, means for spreading said wheel arms relative to said frame toelevate the frame relative to said wheels, a bowl pivotally mounted onsaid frame, an openable gatev at the rear of said bowl, means fornormally retaining said gate closed relative to said bowl and commonmeans for releasing said gate retaining means and'tlpping said bowlcomprising elements connected with said wheel arms and with said gateretaining means and stops on said bowl to be engaged by said gateretaining means, said gate retaining means being operated by spreadingof said frame relative to said wheel arms to a predetermined positionand engaging said stops to effect the tipping of said bowl to dumpingposition by further spreading movement thereof.

7. An earth moving device comprising a frame, wheel arms pivotedthereto, wheels journaled on said wheel arms, a hydraulic extension unitconnected between said'frame and said wheel arms to spread the wheelarms relative to the frame,

a bowl pivotally mounted on said frame and ineluding a bottom, a pair ofside walls and a curved front wall, said bowl having space under saidfront wall for the entrance of earth to said bowl, a front apron curvedto follow the curvature of said front wall and pivoted to said bowl formovement to a position forming a downward extension of said front wallwhen the bowl is elevated from digging position to carrying position,said apron having means of engagement with said wheel arms to elevatethe apron to open the bowlas the bowl is moved downwardly to diggingposition, a gate at the rear of said bowl and pivoted thereto'whe'rebythe lower edge of the gate may swing rearwardly for dumping earth fromthe rear of the bowl, latches for said gate, means biasing said latchesto latched position for normally retaining said gate closed relative tosaid bowl, common means for releasing said latches and tipping saidbowl'comprising'connections between said wheel arms and said latches,said connections effecting unlatching of said latches against the actionof said biasing means upon movement of said wheel 'arms by saidhydraulic extension means to a pre-v determined distance from saidframe, stops on said bowl for said latches to engage whereupon furthermovement of said frame away from said wheel arms effects tipping of saidbowl to dumping position and link connections between said wheel armsand said gate to return said gate to closed position upon movement ofsaid frame toward said wheel arms.

8. An earth moving device comprising a wheel mounted frame, a bowlmounted on said frame and movable relative to the wheels thereof, saidbowl including a bottom, a pair of side walls and a curved front wall,said front wall being arranged adjacent the top only of said side wallsto provide space under the front wall for the entrance of earth to saidbowl, a front apron curvedto follow,the curvature .of said front walland pivoted tosaid bowl for movement to a position forming a downwardextension of said front wall when the bowl is movedv from diggingposition to carrying position, a gate at the rear of said tion, andsecond link means connected with said gate, both of said link meansbeing. operatively connected with said wheels and operated successivelyby movement of said wheels relative to said bowl frame. I

9. An earth moving device comprising a frame, wheel arms pivotedthereto,'wheels journaled on said wheel arms, means to spread said wheelarms relative to said frame, a bowl pivotally mounted on said frame, agate at the rear'of said bowl and movable relative thereto to an openposition for are unlatched to effect such tipping of the bowl bycontinued movement of the latches beyond unlatched position and linkconnections between said wheel arms and said gate to 'retum said gate toclosed position and relatch said'latches upon movement of said frame.toward saidwheel arms. 10. In an earth. moving device, a frame, a bowlpivotally mounted on said frame, a gate for one end of said bowl andpivoted thereto for dumping earth from the bowl when the gate is open,latches for said gate, means biasing, said latches to latched positionand common means for first releasing said latches and then causing themto engage and tip said bowl to dumping position.

11. An earth mover of the character disclosed comprising a wheel mountedframe, a bowl pivotally mounted relative thereto and adapted indifferentpositions of pivotal movement to dig earth, carry it elevated above theground surface and dump the earth from the rear of the bowl, a gate forthe rear of the bowl, said gate being pivoted to the bowl, latches fornormally retaining said gate in closed position and common means forreleasing said latches and-thereafter tipping said bowl from carrying todumping position by engagementof said latches with I said bowl withsaidrear gate swung open on its pivot connections to the bowl.

12. In an earth mover, a wheel mounted frame, a bowl pivotally mountedthereon and adapted in diflerent positions of pivotal movement to dig,carry and dump earth therefrom, a gate for the bowl, said gate beingopenable relative to the bowl, latches for normally retaining said gateinclosed position and means connected with said latches for releasingthem and thereafter tipping said bowl from carrying to dumping position,said bowl having an abutment engaged by the latches to efiect themovement of the bowl from carrying position to dumping ,position.

13. An earth mover of the character disclosed comprising a wheel mountedframe, a bowl pivotally mounted thereon and adapted in differentpositions of pivotal movement to dig earth, carry it elevated above theground surface and dump the earth from the bowl, a gate pivoted to saidbowl, latches for normally retaining said gate in closed position,common means for releasing said latches and thereafter engaging saidlatches with said bowl to tip it from carrying to dumping position withsaid rear gate swung open on its pivot' connections to the bowland'links connected with said gate to limit the opening thereof andreturn the gate to closed position upon return of the bowl from dumpingto carrying position.

14. An earth mover of the character disclosed comprising a wheel mountedframe, a bowl pivotally mounted thereon and adapted in dif-'- ferentpositions of pivotal movement to dig earth, carry it elevated above theground surface and dump the earth from the rear of the bowl,

a gate for the rear of the bowl, said gate being pivoted to the bowl,latches for normally retaining said gate in closed position and commonmeans for releasing said latches and thereafter engaging said latcheswith said bowl totip it from carrying to dumping position with said reargate swung open on its pivot-connections to the bowl, said gate havinglink connection with said wheel mounted frame to limit the opening ofthe gate to a spreading position and to return the gate to closedposition as the bowl is moved from dumping to carrying position.

15. An earth mover of the character disclosed comprising a frame, wheelarms pivoted thereto,

a bowl pivotally mounted on said frame, a gate for said bowl, said gatebeing pivoted thereto, latches for normally retaining said gate inclosedposition, common means for releasing said latches and thereafterengaging said latches with said bowl and tipping the bowl from carrying'to dumping swung open on its pivot connections to the bowl, said gatehaving link connection with said wheel arms to limit the opening of thegate to a spreading position and to return the gate to closed positionas the bowl is moved from dumping to carrying position.

16. In an earth moving device of the character disclosed, a frame, wheelarms pivoted thereto, wheels journaled on said wheel arms, means forspreading said wheel arms relative to said frame to elevate the framerelative to said wheels, a bowl pivotally mounted on said frame formovement to digging, carrying and dumping positions by movement of saidframe relative to said wheel arms, a coupler carried by the front end ofsaid frame for attachment to a tractor or the like, a supporting legpivoted to said frame intermediate said wheels and coupler and adaptedto assume a position parallel thereposition with said. rear gatev to ora supporting position extending downwardly'therefrom, the pivotalconnection being spaced from the pivot of said frame to said wheel armswhereby relative movement between said frame and wheel arms effectsraising or lowering of said coupler when said supporting leg is insupporting position to facilitate coupling thereof to the tractor.

17. In an earth moving device, a frame, wheel armspivoted thereto,wheels journaled on said wheel arms, means for spreading said wheel armsrelative to said frame to elevatethe frame relative to said wheels, acoupler carried by one end ofsaid frame for attachment to a tractor orthe like, a supporting leg pivoted to said frame intermediate saidwheels and coupler and adapted'to assume a supporting position extendingdownwardly therefrom, tion being spaced from the pivot of said frame tosaid wheel arms whereby relative movement between said frame and wheelarms effects raising or lowering of said coupler to facilitate couplingthereof to the tractor.

18. In an earth moving device of the character disclosed, a frame,wheels adjustable relative to and carrying said frame, means for movingsaid frame to elevate it relative to said wheels, a bowl pivotallymounted on said frame for movement to digging, carrying and dumpingpositions by such movement ofsaid frame relative to said wheels, acoupler carried by said frame for attachment to a tractor or' the like,a'

supporting leg mounted on said frame at a point between said wheels andcoupler and extending downwardly from said frame, relative movementbetween said frame and wheels effecting raising or lowering of saidcoupler with said supporting leg serving as a pivot therefor tofacilitate coupling thereof to the tractor.

mswon'rn W. AUSTIN,

the pivotal connec-

